(Newser)
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A Hertz branch in Seattle has fired 26 Muslim employees because they didn’t clock out during prayers. The car rental firm says it’s trying to be fair to other workers, but one fired employee tells KOMO News, “We feel like we're being punished for what we believe in.” Prayers are a matter of “five minutes," the employee adds. "It's not as big deal as the company's making it.”

The company says some of the employees were taking unfair advantage of their prayer time and it “had become a significant problem.” If that’s the concern, a local union says, the individual employees should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. According to a company document, earlier this year employees were allowed to take prayer breaks without clocking out. The union says that as of Sept. 30, that policy had changed to require punching out for all breaks, including religious ones. But smokers seem to be exempt from the new rules, notes a union rep.

If you are going to work for a private company you shouldn't expect them to accommodate your life style. No one can expect to do everything they want when at work. You are being paid to perform a job for the employer, and it is not the employer's problem that you can't express your culture, religion, etc... If the job is getting in the way of your personal life, then the solution is to QUIT working for someone else and create your own business. Then you can pray all day if you want.

Cat-Lover

Oct 22, 2011 3:31 PM CDT

All religious activity should be "off the clock." Even when at church.